Shelf do-up...

I have been looking at bookcase do-overs on Pinterest.

 Which, if you didn't already know, is my other 'happy place'!

There are so many clever ideas to be found there for shelf.

Wallpaper on the shelf backboards.

Painted wood

Fabric mod podged on.

The list goes on.

I have always disliked my bookcase.

Ornaments just don't display well because the wood is so dark.

The 'Sitting Room' where the shelf resides has a lot of red and white in it, and it's pretty bright.

To fix these issues, I decided to simply paint the backboards of the shelf white, while leaving the dark wood everywhere else natural.

And what a difference it has made!

 My ornamental collectables stand out!

(I am wondering why it took me so long to do this!)

It has brightened up the wall too!

And the best thing is...

 My cute flying pig has wings for all to see!

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#paintingwoodenfurniture #diyshelfdoerupper

#restylingwoodfurniturewithpaint.

George...

Now don't you be fooled 
by his butter wouldn't melt in my mouth good looks...

This dog has serious attitude!

Meet George...

Using the word mischief to describe him is an understatement!

Here at Mia Bella Gardens, we call him a work in progress.

Apparently, the  'Hungarian Vizla' breed is a work in progress for their lifetime!
(I'm still coming to terms with that!)

They are known as velcro dogs because they have to be close to you.

I'm talking, actually sitting on top of you when you are trying to watch TV!

George is probably just darn happy he found us.

He was sad, neglected and abused before he came to us.

Seriously underweight, weighing in at only 17 kilos the day he arrived,
George is now happy, healthy and loved!

He has found his forever home,

even though he drives us completely crazy with his naughtiness.
(Now here's the reason why I do not have a lovely wreath on the front entrance door, 
and why I made a sturdy silver platter welcome sign.)

Currently, I'm in a creative planning phase, 
redesigning a gorgeous front porch entrance...
that is 'George proof'!

We love him to bits!

How could you not love that face?

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#hungarianvizla

Welcome Door Sign...

I found this cute little silver platter in the thrift store the other day 

and thought wow I can do something with this!

It has the most beautiful detailing around the edge.

So out came the paint!

I wasn't feeling too bad about painting over it because I don't think it 'real' as it doesn't have any makers marks on it.

Using a gorgeous yellow colour, I applied two

coats to the middle, leaving the  detailing around the edge as is.

While it was drying I went on the net and found some free printables. 

http://thegraphicsfairy.com/ is a great place to look.

I couldn't decide on one so I printed three.  It took me a while to choose,

 but I opted for the bee.

Plus printed out a Welcome word using a pretty font.

The clever reasoning of this is hubby is learning all about bee keeping at the moment, 

so I thought he'd approve of my new piece of clutter!  (My plan worked!)

 Mod podge the graphics on to the platter.  

When dry, mod podge over the entire painted area.

 Then I made a wire hanger using contrasting coloured beads.

And here it is - the first part of my front entrance upgrade.

 It is so cute!

Bonus is - it is completely George proof!

Check in tomorrow and find out what I mean....

until then, have a fabulous day.

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#diyprojects #upcycingideas #DIYhomedecor

Gouldian Finches...

Mia Bella Gardens aviaries have new additions...

two breeding pairs of Lady Gouldian Finches.

They are amazing colours don't you think?

The male has a gorgeous dark purple breast...

And the female has a pale lavender breast.

Don't you think those wings look angelic?

For more information on these finches visit:
http://www.efinch.com/species/gould.htm

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by joining for free HERE.

#finches #gouldianfinches #angelwings

Lavender Crocus

The crocus is a genus of flowering plants in the iris family. 
They are perennials that grow from corms.
Flowers can appear from autumn through winter, to spring.
Crocuses are native to woodland, scrub and meadows.
They grow from sea level to alpine tundra 
in Central and Southern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. 

They thrive in a range of environments, from meadows and grasslands to rocky slopes. Their versatility in adapting to different climates makes them a gardener's favourite.

They are especially cold-hardy.

Crocus varieties include spring-blooming types like the large-flowered Dutch Crocus (Crocus Vernus), which is notable for cultivars like 'Pickwick. 

A smaller species of crocus is Crocus tommasinianus.

Another type, Crocus sativus, the source of Saffron, blooms in autumn.

Did you know that you need approximately 150,000 flowers to produce just one kilogram (2.2 pounds) of saffron?

Saffron is the stigma of the flower.

That explains why it is such an expensive spice to buy!

There are around 90 different varieties of crocus, with an array of colours, shapes, and sizes!
I snapped these photos so you could see how gorgeous the

 lavender flowers with bright yellow stamens are!
I'm not sure of the name of this one, but these crocuses grow in pots and in the garden beds of 'Mia Bella Passions' gardens.

I think they make a stunning display in a beautiful glazed pot.

What's not to love about the crocus?

You might like to create this temporary indoor display of crocus.

Find out how HERE.

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#crocus #allaboutcrocus

Pretty in Pink...

Pretty in pink.

In New Zealand these pink lillies are commonly known as 'Naked Ladies'...

Otherwise known as the Belladonna Lilly...

Family: Amaryllidaceae   (am-uh-ril-id-AY-see-ee) 

Genus: Amaryllis   (am-uh-RIL-us) 

Species: belladonna   (bel-uh-DON-nuh) 

Read more:http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/2377/#ixzz2YCgIR39o

Gorgeous ribbon cushion in white...

with a pretty blossom themed duvet.

Delicate ribbon roses...

The Belladonna lilly is deliciously fragrant!

Clea the lilac Burmese joins the photo shoot!

"My fur is a fabulous contrast colour, don't you think?"

Emmm, time for a nap!

'Laundry' Sign....

You can buy all sorts of quirky Laundry signs nowadays...

But I wanted to hand-craft one to match the blue of my laundry walls.

Plus , hand-crafting is so much more fun than walking into a shop and just buying it!

This is how I made my laundry sign.... 

First of all I cut an MDF board to the desired size, and then painted it white.

 Using free lettering from the Net, I printed them using my home printer onto white paper, and then block coloured the letters in blue acrylic paint.

Once they were dry, cut out each of the letter shapes

I roughly hand-tore the edges of three squares of pretty contrasting scrapbook paper.

Glued the squares onto the board first,

 then the lettering spaced over the squares.

I did this freehand.

But if you prefer, you can use a ruler to get perfect spacing.

Using permanent black stamping ink and desired stamps, 

stamp an edging design around the board.

 Once the stamping ink is dry, use a black Sharpie pen to outline the lettering.

When dry, lightly and quickly, so as not smudge the inks,

 coat the entire board with a sealer.

(I used 'Mod Podge').

And here's the end result!

I'm really happy with how it looks with the blue walls!

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#diy #diysigns #diylaundrysigns

3D Easter Rabbit...

Print the template for the bunny 

link is via:

 http://creativetryals.blogspot.co.nz/2011/04/make-your-own-decoupage-cardboard.html

Cut the template out

Copy shapes on to paper covered cardboard

Make the concertina joins for the legs and ears...

And then you have a cute 3D Easter rabbit

to add a little fun to your Easter table or decor'.

For more detailed step by step instructions,
decouplage option,
 and the link to the bunny pattern visit:
http://creativetryals.blogspot.co.nz/2011/04/make-your-own-decoupage-cardboard.html

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#eastercrafts #easterdecor